Accessible communications

Government information should be as accessible and inclusive as possible. Something can be accessible to some people, like a video or a tweet, while being inaccessible to others.

Creating accessible and inclusive communications

Accessibility requirements for public sector bodies

Public sector websites published before 23 September 2018 must be compliant by 23 September 2020. Read and use the guidance on GOV.UK:

Understanding accessibility requirements for public sector bodies

Create accessible social media campaigns

At least 1 in 5 people have a long-term illness, disability or impairment that affects how they access or understand information.

In our guide, we explore the quick and simple ways you can improve the accessibility of social media campaigns – from planning through to publishing – to make them more effective and help you reach more of the people you need to.

Planning, creating and publishing accessible social media campaigns
Social media playbook (GOV.UK)

Use inclusive communication

How to produce communications that include, accurately portray, and are accessible to disabled people:

  • inclusive language: words to use and avoid when writing about disability
  • portraying disability
  • using a range of communication channels to reach disabled people
  • accessible communication formats

Five principles to make your campaigns more inclusive

Inclusive communication from the Office for Disability Issues and Department for Work and Pensions (GOV.UK)

Training and resources

Learning about accessibility is a journey, not a project. Assistive technology is always evolving and communicators need to stay up to date with these development so they can focus on the user needs.

GCS resources

Government Communication Service on accessibility:

GOV.UK resources

Get involved with the accessibility community

Other resources

In this section